Gilgal
Israel’s first camp west of the Jordan, “on the east border of Jericho”, where Joshua set up twelve stones from the river. Later a sanctuary where Saul was made king. Its exact site is not known.
Gilgal was the place where Israel camped after crossing the Jordan, “on the east border of Jericho”, and where Joshua set up the twelve stones taken from the riverbed (Joshua 4:19–20). The men born in the wilderness were circumcised there and the first Passover in Canaan was kept; the book of Joshua connects the name with the rolling away of “the reproach of Egypt” (Joshua 5:2–10). It remained Joshua’s base during the campaigns that followed (Joshua 10:6–9) (Joshua 10:43). A Gilgal was on Samuel’s yearly circuit and was the place where Saul was confirmed as king (1 Samuel 7:16) (1 Samuel 11:14–15), and the prophets Hosea and Amos denounced the worship offered at Gilgal (Hosea 4:15) (Amos 4:4); more than one place may have borne the name. The site of Joshua’s camp has not been identified. The coordinates mark a point just east of ancient Jericho, where Joshua places the camp.
What happened here
- c. 1406 or c. 1220 BC, traditional dateCrossing the Jordan and the Fall of Jericho
The book of Joshua tells how Israel crosses the Jordan on dry ground, camps at Gilgal and keeps its first Passover in Canaan. Jericho’s wall falls after a seven-day procession around the city, and Rahab, who had sheltered Joshua’s spies, is spared.
- about 1050 BC, traditional dateSaul Becomes Israel’s First King
Israel’s elders ask the aged Samuel for a king “like all the nations”. Samuel warns them, then anoints Saul of Benjamin, who is chosen by lot at Mizpah and made king at Gilgal. Saul is later rejected for disobedience.